Illawarra Karate Dojo & Family Fitness Centre

🥋 SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR NIGHT 🥋

On Tuesday, June 16th, 5th Dan Sensei David Lambert will be heading to the Illawarra to take training.

As Head Instructor of Lambert Karate Dojo & Family Fitness Centre, and host dojo of the upcoming Asian Pacific Gasshuku, Sensei David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in Goju-Ryu Karate.

This is a great opportunity to experience different elements of Goju-Ryu, gain insight from one of Australia's most respected practitioners, and hear more about what is shaping up to be the biggest event our organisation has ever hosted.

Make sure you don't miss this opportunity!

The 1st AOGKF Western Australia State Gasshuku is on this July!

This event will be lead by Sensei David Lambert, joined by our very own Sensei Mitchell Hill.

Registration is open to all AOGKF members. https://australiakarate.com/upcoming-events

The first ever AOGKF Western Australia State Gasshuku will take place in Perth at Wanneroo Martial Arts from July 10-12, 2026! AOGKF president, Sensei David Lambert and AOGKF EC member, Sensei Mitchell Hill will lead the event in this beautiful part of our country! All AOGKF members are welcome to attend and registeration is now open at: https://australiakarate.com/upcoming-events

The energy in the dojo these first 2 weeks of term has been off the charts! 🔥🥋

Let’s keep building momentum as we prepare for upcoming gradings and tournaments!

GRASSHOPPERS — 5:00-5:25
PEE-WEES — 5:30-6:25
TEENS & ADULTS — 6:30-7:30
3RD KYU + — 7:30-8:30

See you all in the dojo! 👊

The NSW Tournament is now open for registrations!

Sign up today to represent Illawarra Karate and bring some Dojo pride to the event!

The Time has come!
2026 STATE FRIENDSHIP TOURNAMENT SIGN UP IS NOW OPEN!
https://australiakarate.com/upcoming-events
Join us for the ultimate series of friendly matches between the Dojo's of each state to determine our 2026 State Champions who will go through to compete in our Nationals this November. The most important aspect of our friendship tournaments are RESPECT and of course FRIENDSHIP! It is time to represent your Dojo and Sensei and step out of your comfort zone! It's all about gaining the experience, not the result! Sign up for your team at:
https://australiakarate.com/upcoming-events

This won’t be an event to miss!

Join the Illawarra Karate team heading to Goulburn for the 2026 IOGKF Asian Pacific Gasshuku by registering now!

THE BIGGEST IOGKF EVENT IN THE WORLD FOR 2026!
Early bird discounts and FREE shirt end on August 7, 2026.
23 Incredible instructors from 14 different countries will come to Australia for the grand return of the IOGKF Asian Pacific Gasshuku!
Check out the event timetable here: https://australiakarate.com/gasshuku-timetable
Or sign up for the event here:
https://australiakarate.com/asian-pacific-gasshuku

FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION – TONIGHT

Teens & Adults, we’re on tonight!

We’ll be taking a closer look at Sanchin, working through the kata, building on technique, adding some simple bunkai, and focusing on the breathing as well.

A great way to kick off the new term.

6:30 – 7:30 | Teens & Adults

FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION THIS WEEK

Just a reminder for our Teens & Adults — we’ve got a focused session coming up this Friday, taking a closer look at Sanchin.

The best way to kick off the new term is with a Friday night session!

We’ll be working through the kata, building on technique, adding in some simple bunkai, and spending time on the breathing side of things as well.

6:30 – 7:30 | Teens & Adults

TERM 2 BEGINS!

We hope all our students had a refreshing and enjoyable school holiday break and are ready to kick off the new term!

As Term 2 gets underway, we’re excited to welcome back all our Grasshopper and Pee-Wee students to training this week.

With our first Pee-Wee grading of the year coming up, along with the NSW Friendship Tournament later this term, it’s the perfect time to get back into the dojo and start preparing.

Classes return to our normal schedule.

See you in the dojo!

A SPECIAL NIGHT IN GOULBURN

Yesterday, Sensei Mitch travelled down to Goulburn for the final session at the Gibson St Dojo.

Sensei DJ led a fantastic and fitting last class, sharing countless stories that made the night both emotional and memorable. It marked the end of an era — the dojo where Sensei Mitch first began his karate journey.

Even uncovering some old memorabilia of Sensei Mitch as a Pee-Wee, dating all the way back to 2008!

A truly sentimental night, full of reflection, respect, and gratitude.

Without the Gibson St Dojo and Sensei DJ, Illawarra Karate simply wouldn’t exist.

Thank you for everything. “The dojo is about the people, not the location — and that love continues on”. Remarkable words from Sensei DJ!